Victor Osimhen makes his decision

It was one of the transfer stories of the summer, but we are now in the final week of the transfer window and Victor Osimhen is still a Napoli player.

Chelsea are believed to have long had their eye on the Nigerian hitman, although a €130m release clause appears to be holding up the deal.

Although the player still knows what his goal is, his form has declined somewhat since the epic season in which the Partnopei won the Scudetto. That could explain the reluctance of the Blues or other players who fail to meet the Serie A club’s valuation of their player.

In recent days, CaughtOffside columnist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli have agreed a deal for the player with Napoli… for €65 million.

??? More about Victor Osimhen’s story.

The agreement between Napoli and Al Ahli for a package worth more than €65 million is close to being completed, depending on the details.

But there is NO agreement with Osimhen as far as the Nigerian striker wants a significant salary + IMPORTANT DETAIL: a termination clause must be included. photo.twitter.com/Z9vnSTdIEE

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 25, 2024

That’s half of what the club originally asked for, but it is perhaps also evidence of their concern that Osimhen remains on their books after the deadline, especially as Napoli are also apparently set to sign Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea, a favourite of Antonio Conte.

With the transfer window only open for three days, it is a race against time to get Osimhen out of the club. More importantly, it seems the player has no interest in moving to the Saudi Pro League.

In fact, as I reported (subscription required), the striker prefers a move to Stamford Bridge and is waiting for the two clubs to agree on a deal so that he and his representatives can also enter into negotiations with each other.

It is clear that all parties will have to work hard and fast if they want to get a deal done, and if it proves too late then Osimhen will be faced with the option of either going to Saudi Arabia or playing second fiddle to Lukaku – neither of which is likely to go down well.